'Lot of substitutes': 13 Investigates HISD's unmet promise on teachers

UPDATE: After this report aired, Houston ISD Superintendent Millard House II called 13 Investigates' Ted Oberg to discuss upcoming efforts to address the teacher shortage, including "several major changes to the way we hire, compensate and support our teachers."
"The single biggest determining factor in our students having a positive school experience is whether they have access to a great teacher in the classroom. It is the one thing everyone agrees on," House said Friday. "No one, and I mean no one, wants to solve the persistent teacher shortage HISD has faced for years more than I do. While the statewide and national teacher shortage is both out of our control and exacerbated by the pandemic, we can and will control this district's ability to attract and retain more exceptional educators."

[@bbearsmama]

The big question is-why is it so hard to get teachers? Many have left due to toxic environments. Students get violent and scream obscenities in the classroom now more than ever. It’s truly bizarre. My advice to the higher ups-find a way to RETAIN your teachers! Treat them well, recognize that they have a life outside of school, and HELP them (rather than punishing them) if they are struggling!

[@lanessawitherspoon1332]

HISD pay is far less than the pay in surrounding districts. Job duties in HISD have tripled for teachers, but pay has not increased. HISD doesn't pay Teachers for masters degrees unlike surrounding districts. HISD teachers are being assaulted by students, but the DA won't help, so teachers are quitting for safety reasons, not just because of increased duties & lack of pay. Teachers are also quitting HISD because they have been defeated by the system, students, and parents. And the HISD retention stipend is only $500.

[@Justrespect2112]

Kids come to school uncivilized. Expecting teachers to parent is unreasonable. Listen how these children speak to their mothers. Respect is a learned value.

[@lynnespringer1513]

This happens in other districts, as well.

[@cl9315]

How about Campus Administration, (Principals & Asst. Principals), stop bullying their educators and start telling them that they appreciate their hard work. Stop adding endless tasks to teachers plates without taking anything away. Treat teachers with respect, and maybe the shortage might take care of itself.

[@BD_RMNCE]

As someone who spent their first year teaching in HISD...😒 I and my partner teacher were both removed from our classrooms and replaced with administrators and put on "growth" plans. My partner teacher was told they needed a lot of coaching to improve and set a date to meet and draw up a plan to improve. The day of their meeting that administrator was "absent. " It was clear they weren't going to get the support they needed from the campus to improve, though they were ready, willing, and able. They resigned mid-year. I was not as fortunate and did as asked. Surprisingly every one of my evaluations under the growth plan stated that I was making growth...and the plan ended just after standardized testing. I LATER FOUND OUT that an administrator had had to replace the teacher or record every year for that group of students since 2nd grade. There was also a student in that 5th grade group that could not add double digit numbers without drawing pictures mid year. I believe they were promoted to middle school. Rather than support teachers they seemingly gave up on us and decided we were not going to make the cut. I moved on after that year to another district where the students began more or less on grade level and met all of my test scoring goals for the year without ever having a single negative evaluation..... Moral of the story is these are the types of practices that push teachers out of the district and profession. It's no surprise they have 800 vacancies. 😐

[@melregissings]

Nobody wants to teach these bad kids.

[@jjc6530]

It don’t matter teachers certified or not. Kids can pass their classes with doing one assignment the entire school year. Some just only need to just show up, doing absolutely nothing and still pass. If not parents challenges the teacher and school. Is that what you call learning? I don’t think so. My friend a HS teacher has senior kids that can’t even add 1.0+ 2.0 = 3.0, but will be graduating because the parents complains to the principal. And the principal is only worried about graduation rates. Does schools really care that kids are learning? No. So does it matter if theres certified teachers, honestly?

[@Ssssssssssssssssst]

THANK YOU!!

[@baldeagle4710]

schools in general don't pay jack squat, but especially in TX. I dont understand why they pay so little over there. COVID definitely doesn't help.

[@misterb1132]

I was told by a superintendent near Austin, as I was back there for teaching interviews in 1995, that teaching is not considered a true profession there. He mentioned that a lot of their subs were housewives with no college.

[@lynnespringer1513]

If the discipline were better and schools were well organized they probably could get some retired teachers

[@tripolicXcards]

Yep, but HISD is trying to get rid of discipline so I don't know how that will work out. Ah yes, I won't work.

[@lawrencelenerd3988]

The superintendent was so good, they sent him to Alaska.

[@jerryrichardson2799]

If they're not certified they should at least have a BA. In some school districts in Texas they let people with associates degrees teach. These problems don't even begin to address critical structural issues, like socio-economic background of parents or the verbal intelligence of teachers. The funny part is most private education isn't any better.

[@SimpleLifeAlways81]

But schools cost so much money and teachers can’t afford to pay loans.

[@youtubeguy4539]

No one wants to deal with unruly kids, uneducated rouge parents, and an admin staff that rules with an iron fist. I forgot to mentioned bad pay and safety issues. Public school is in danger.

[@orestesvega2475]

THEY HAVE TO REPLACE ALL THE ADMINISTRATORS IN THOSE SCHOOLS

[@mariekatherine5238]

One of my nephews had a former cafeteria lady who had an associate’s degree from 1990-in dental assisting! She had 32 fourth graders in an inclusion class and no TA. His little sister in grade two had a certified teacher, unfortunately, her certification is for high school English. Neither was capable of controlling the class much less teaching anything. As a result, I’m homeschooling them along with five other neighborhood children. I enjoyed a year’s worth of retirement from teaching before Covid hit, and thought I’d never return to a classroom again. Now I have a one-room schoolhouse in my guest bedroom and I’m loving it! (Yes, I’m certified to teach all seven of them.)

[@toyshiajohnson8604]

Teachers resigned and are done …now parents have to….treat us better…

[@Jae-xs6xy]

🤔 Passing a test for certification does not mean teachers can teach 👌

[@brightonchou1393]

bad kids.

[@brightonchou1393]

some cant pass for 5 times.

[@ashaeducation3402]

Exactly...so get rid of those stupid exams.

[@SimpleLifeAlways81]

@@ashaeducation3402 right!

[@queenjekanmo388]

Hisd is the worst school district. I was in the classroom by myself with nine behavior kids for more than six weeks and the principal refused to call the substitute or hire someone to help me. I have a story to tell and lots of evidence. They treated you like a slave and no respect for their teachers and some principal will be threatening you with your certification

[@happinessclips852]

I applied and I never heard back. I have all the requirements.

[@SimpleLifeAlways81]

I know … this is insane.

[@catherinewilliams9680]

One possible way to resolve this situation is having more educators run for elected office at the state level. Once in office, these teachers can begin crafting laws that can enhance the school environment.

[@tanv3350]

The certification exam is a problem for new teachers and pay is the issue for seasoned teachers

[@TheChefDWC]

Most districts have a policy that says that press releases are only made by the district's press officer. Admin isn't supposed to speak to the press because this can result in conflicting messages.

[@ashaeducation3402]

Why don't they create emergency teachers license??? That way people can work on their certification while teaching.

[@stevenpollard5171]

They have done this.

[@Justrespect2112]

Increase pay and keep unqualified from teaching in schools. To do different will demoralize remaining teachers and deepen the shortage.

[@eileenmcgovern9193]

HISD pays $14 an hour fir subs.

[@strangeroamer3219]

I make more than that and I didn't go to college.

[@brightonchou1393]

@@strangeroamer3219 sub dont need degree

[@FrugalTeacherFI]

@@brightonchou1393 Subs in our state are required to have a college degree. You get paid bonus if you are certified to teach as well. (aka retired teacher or teacher not employed this year)

[@mariekatherine5238]

I can do better rearranging shoes in Walmart.

[@fremontpathfinder8463]

That's disgusting.

[@gasparma2316]

Just saw Milby HS saw many openings 😳

[@tanyaflemon1870]

EVERY district has a freaking teacher shortage HISD is struggling like every other district. Pay them more be flexible on the certification test

[@redfoxx1417]

Finally, people are starting to reap what they sow 👏🏾

[@johnnyboyvan]

All liars.

[@gasparma2316]

Teacher shortage, Blame TEA making it harder and just adding more to the certification then making them work 24/7

[@nodebt6188]

Las Vegas has 1300 teacher vacancies. Starting salary is $50115.

[@surviveunplugged]

My kid didn't have any certified teachers that I know of and obtained a better education than most public schools (attended private Christian school). They were all housewives whose kids went there and graduated. Most had a college degree, however I'm not even sure of that. When tested by "public school" standards my kid was two years above "advanced placement" for that grade level. How do you require "certification" and the overall performance is still so low in public schools? I'd want to ask teachers what they think, because "certification" isn't working so well.

[@miminguyen376]

The teachers are not the problem, if they just stop with all the testing madness and let the teachers teach...the students will learn much more!

[@dexterdiscutido6793]

You can include in your solution the choice of hiring licensed teachers in the Philippines with more than five years of teaching experience.

[@galleste]

In HISD, the teachers get no respect. Unlike the Philippines where teachers and education are valued. Those poor teachers from the Philippines wouldn’t last two years.

[@MrMrREmm]

@@galleste you understimate those teachers. They are trained hard and lived with $400 a month with 50+ students per classroom. I suggest you do more research.

[@SimpleLifeAlways81]

@@MrMrREmm HISD is not Philippines… this is a horrible, horrible district.

[@nodebt6188]

We have many teachers from the Philippines in Las Vegas.

[@masterhun]

Privatize. Public education is imploding.

[@melosova-suav8930]

Entry level salary must be raised by 20%!

[@geangarcia2673]

Should a college graduate consider teaching in Spring ISD?

[@askquestions1236]

is subbing hard?

[@roygreen9890]

HA-HA-HO-HO-HEE-HEE-HOO-HOO-HO-HO-HEE-HEE-HA-HA-HO-HO-HEE-HEE-HOO-HOO-HA-HA-HO-HO-HEE-HEE-HOO-HOO... 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@brightonchou1393]

yes.

[@roygreen9890]

@@brightonchou1393 , indeed, your answer is much more concise than mine!

[@winecrimesfoodandtime7119]

It's one of the hardest challenge in jobs there is. I know it helped me with my girls school schedule but I feel like I have PTSD other health issues.

[@winecrimesfoodandtime7119]

I actually had to have surgery at the beginning of the school year. I also kind of started having the problems last year and I realized after 10 years of teaching well substitute teaching coming up that I don't even want to go back I've went back a few times to keep my certificate but I don't really even know why I'm doing it? My younger daughter only has 3 years left in school she tells me that she can see why I don't want to do it anymore and my other job pays more.

[@rosyssweetcreations]

You put all the blame on teachers, how about you hold parents accountable?